A program of trafficability tests was conducted in unconfined muskeg areas at Fort Wainwright, Alaska, with four tracked vehicles: an M116 amphibious cargo carrier, an M59 armored personnel carrier, an M41 combat tank, and an M60A1 combat tank. Self-propelled, go-no go tests were conducted with all four vehicles; maximum-drawbar-pull tests were conducted with the M116, the M59, and the M41; and cross-country speed tests were conducted with the M116 and M59. Results indicate that a combination of depth to permafrost and strength of the muskeg layer above permafrost affects vehicle performance on a go-no go basis. Average maximum drawbar pull of the M116 was 59% of its gross weight and apparently was limited by its torque converter output. The maximum pulls of the M59 and M41 ranged from 35 to 40% of their gross weights and were limited by traction capacity of the muskeg. In the cross-country tests, the speed of the M116 was greatly affected by the inability of the driver to see over the vegetation ahead of him. The reduction in speed of both the M116 and the M59 when traveling on muskeg, as compared with maximum speed on hard surfaces, may be attributed to increased motion resistance. Depth to permafrost was affected by surface cover; the shallowest permafrost was found generally under dense, woody vegetation, and the deepest permafrost was found generally in areas covered with grass and water or where all vegetation had been removed. It is recommended that additional tests, including tests with a few wheeled vehicles, be conducted and that tests be conducted to develop an adequate remolding test for muskeg.

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